MLB Player News

Reyes, who impressed during live batting practice Monday, is on a starter's schedule this spring and could be a candidate for one of two open spots in the Cardinals' starting rotation, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Following the news earlier Tuesday that Miles Mikolas could miss at least a month with a sore flexor tendon, the Cardinals officially have two open spots in the starting rotation behind the top trio of Jack Flaherty, Dakota Hudson and Adam Wainwright. Former ace Carlos Martinez and highly regarded South Korean import Kwang-Hyun Kim are considered the odds-on favorites for those roles, but Rogers notes a short-term stint as a starter might be an ideal way to acclimate the oft-injured but promising Reyes to the rigors of a big-league rotation.

Ponce de Leon spent the offseason smoothing out his delivery in an effort to generate better control, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander has posted a solid 3.31 ERA and 1.21 WHIP across 24 big-league appearances, but he also generated an unsightly 4.8 BB/9 in 2019. Ponce de Leon therefore went to work on his delivery this offseason, especially on offspeed pitches, which he seemed to have the most trouble locating last season. With Miles Mikolas now set to miss at least one month while dealing with a sore flexor tendon, Ponce de Leon is also a candidate for a temporary spot in the starting rotation, although he still has a better chance of slotting back into a bullpen role.

Pivetta will start the Phillies' Grapefruit League opener Saturday against the Tigers, Matt Breen of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

A popular sleeper pick this time last season due to some promising peripherals, Pivetta had a disaster of a 2019 campaign, experiencing demotions both to the minors and to the bullpen while struggling to a 5.38 ERA. The Phillies didn't make any additions to their shaky rotation over the offseason, so Pivetta enters camp as a starter again and appears to be competing with Vince Velasquez for the final spot in the rotation. Highly rated prospect Spencer Howard (knee) looms to take that spot at some point, however, and he could enter the conversation fairly early in the year.

Yamamoto is scheduled to start the Marlins' Grapefruit League opener Saturday versus the Mets, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

The 23-year-old will get an early opportunity to secure a back-end spot in Miami's Opening Day rotation after a generally solid rookie season in which he struck out more than a batter per inning while posting a 4.46 ERA across 78.2 frames. Yamamoto's main focus this spring will likely be in showing improved control, an area where he struggled mightily down the stretch last season. He issued at least three walks in his final three starts of 2019, ending the campaign with a bloated 11.1 percent walk rate.

Nelson is dealing with back tightness in addition to the previously reported groin soreness, Alanna Rizzo of Spectrum SportsNet LA reports.

Both issues have been classified as minor, and neither seems to be related to the shoulder woes that wrecked Nelson's previous two seasons. Still, it would obviously be preferable for a pitcher to have zero injury worries this early in camp, rather than two. Nelson already entered camp in a tough fight for a roster spot, so any time lost to these issues will only decrease his chances of making the team.

Alzolay is competing for the Cubs' fifth starter role, though he is considered to be behind Tyler Chatwood in the race at the start of camp, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Chatwood has the edge in experience, having pitched 828 innings at the MLB level versus just 12.1 for Alzolay. The latter had a little bit of prospect hype as he advanced through the minors, so he's worth keeping an eye on, but it doesn't seem like he'll be much of fantasy factor to begin the season. That could change if Chatwood stumbles and Alzolay works his way into the Chicago rotation.

Gallegos will receive the opportunity to compete for the Cardinals' closer job in spring training, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

The wide-open battle also includes John Brebbia, Alex Reyes and Ryan Helsley, among others, though any competition for the ninth-inning vacancy could come to a quick end if the Cardinals shift Carlos Martinez -- who is getting the opportunity to fight for a rotation spot -- back to the bullpen. If Martinez's shoulder can hold up to starting duty, however, Gallegos would probably represent the most alluring fantasy target in the St. Louis bullpen, though the ample reliable relief arms on hand could prompt manager Mike Shildt to take a committee approach to save situations. Gallegos notched only one save in 2019 but still had utility in mixed leagues thanks to his dazzling ratios (2.31 ERA, 0.81 WHIP, 11.3 K/9).

Betances (Achilles) isn't yet fully participating in team workouts, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.

Betances recorded just two outs last season, missing the majority of the year with a bone spur in his shoulder and getting shut down after his first appearance in mid-September with a torn Achilles tendon. The reliever said upon his arrival to camp that he expected to be ready to go by Opening Day, but for now, he still has some work to do with the Mets' training staff.

Jansen has adjusted his delivery in an attempt to refine his cutter, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

Jansen consulted with Driveline Baseball in Washington during the offseason to pinpoint adjustments that, according to the veteran reliever, have given his cutter more "rising life." The 32-year-old relies heavily on the pitch, throwing it 74.3 percent of the time in 2019 -- though opponents hit .232 against the offering, Jansen's worst mark since 2014. While Jansen remains a steady source of saves, his ERA dropped to a career-worst 3.71 last season.

Strahm will fill a bullpen role with the Padres this season, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Strahm pitched 46 games for San Diego in 2019, making 30 appearances in relief. He posted a 3.27 ERA and held opposing hitters to a .246 average in that role, and the Padres will look to him for similar production in 2020. Per Cassavell, Strahm is likely to work in a long-relief role, regularly pitching two or three innings.